Journalist beaten in a mall in Slovakia. The government condemns the attack, but criticizes the public positions of the victim
A well-known journalist from Slovakia was beaten in a shopping center in the city of Košice and arrived at the hospital with serious injuries. Although the authorities strongly condemned the attack, several members of the government publicly criticized the victim's positions and statements, sparking controversy.
The man is hospitalized PHOTO: Shuterstock
Peter Schutz, 70, was assaulted by an unknown person in a public toilet and ended up in hospital with serious injuries, including a fractured femur which required surgery.
According to the Sme daily, where Schutz is one of the best-known columnists, the assault took place in a busy mall in Slovakia's second-largest city.
The journalist is known for his critical positions towards the current government, led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, who is in his fourth term, writes Politico.
The attack provoked controversial reactions among the authorities. Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok condemned the violence, but emphasized that “the public space in Slovakia has long been marked by polarizing statements”, adding that neither the aggression on a commentator “does not absolve him of responsibility for the words that inflamed emotions and divided society.”
For his part, the Minister of the Environment, Tomáš Taraba, stated on social networks that Schutz is known for “extremely aggressive statements to people”.
Although he condemned the attack, Taraba harshly criticized the justice system, claiming that it “claims that journalists are above the law”.
Police in Košice announced that they are investigating the case as assault and that the investigation is ongoing. The journalist was found on the toilet floor by a passerby, according to the authorities.
The case brings back into focus the tense climate between politicians and the media in Slovakia, several years after the murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancee, Martina Kušnírová, a crime that deeply shook Slovak society and led to the fall of the government at the time, also led by Robert Fico.
In a public message, Prosecutor General Maroš Žilinka warned that “physical violence cannot be a form of discharge of accumulated tensions in society”.
The management of Sme has conveyed that they hope that the attack on Peter Schutz is not related to his journalistic activity.
